The grand finale of the Off-the-Street Empowerment Project held on 4th September 2025 at Crispan Hotel, Jos, drawing community leaders, government officials, sponsors, NYSC representatives, and beneficiaries together in a celebration of impact and youth transformation.
The event marked the culmination of weeks of training, mentorship, and empowerment for 20 young participants selected from Kufang community, Jos South. It showcased not only the vision of Corps member Tertsea Iorpuu Murphy and his team, the initiator of the project, but also the collective support of stakeholders who believe in equipping youths with sustainable skills to combat idleness and foster economic independence.
Representatives of government agencies, community leaders, sponsors, parents, and beneficiaries all expressed heartfelt gratitude, underscoring the project’s significance not only to the participants but also to the wider Plateau community.
The NYSC Local Government Inspector for Jos South, Mr. Kachalla Hamza, expressed pride in Murphy’s vision and commitment. “When he came to me with this idea, I encouraged him. I was pleasantly surprised when he showed me the list of partners supporting him. To the beneficiaries, I urge you to use the training and the tools given today wisely. In today’s Nigeria, one source of livelihood is not enough—you need skills to survive,” he advised.
In the same spirit, Community Leader, Da Francis Choji, reflected on how the project started with a simple request for idle youths in the community to be mobilized. “I never knew today would be a grateful day like this. The youth have received their training, and I pray they will use it well to help themselves, others, and those coming behind,” he remarked, while also offering prayers for the Corps Member and his team.
The representative of Mrs. Julie G. Sanda, Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, conveyed her message of support, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment in peacebuilding. “Since 2001, many young people in Plateau have not experienced true peace. This initiative by Murphy is not only fulfilling NYSC requirements but leaving behind a legacy of hope, strength, and peaceful coexistence. We were inspired to partner because he identified the role of youths in both conflict and peace. This project is indeed gigantic, and we are proud to support it,” she said.
One of the sponsors, Mrs. Violet Adama Kaburuk, described Murphy as a “son of the Plateau” whom she had mentored closely. “He has done us proud, his parents proud, Benue people proud, and the NYSC proud. To the beneficiaries, don’t take this for granted. Use your start-up kits wisely and always remember Murphy and his family in your prayers,” she urged.
In an emotional tribute, Sir James Iorpuu, Murphy’s father and Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, expressed pride in his son’s achievement. “This project is not just a program, it is a mission. Twenty young people have been given tools for destiny and livelihood. I have always told my son that the true measure of a man is not what he accumulates for himself, but in the number of lives he transforms. Today, Murphy has proven that truth,” he said, urging beneficiaries to multiply the opportunities given to them.
DG Aondoaseer Leo-Angelo Viashima commended Corps member Tertsea Murphy’s Off-the-Street Empowerment Program as exemplary service. Reflecting on his NYSC journey, he noted how mentorship shaped his international career. He stressed that NYSC can “form or deform” lives, urging youths to embrace diligence, discipline, and selflessness to drive community transformation.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Sunday Abdu, described Murphy as a “quintessential young man” whose project would outlive him. Drawing on biblical references, he encouraged the beneficiaries to see their start-up kits not just as material gifts but as seeds of greatness. “What you have now is a small beginning—never look down on it. Use it to stand and fly higher. This initiative will ripple through generations, and I pledge to support and follow up with these youths even beyond this program,” he promised.
Adding his voice, Rt. Hon. Johnbull Shekarau commended Murphy’s courage to give back to a community that is not even his native home. “This shows there is hope for Nigeria. The Igbo are successful because they raise one another. If we all commit to lifting just one person, the impact will multiply across generations. Empowerment like this is not just about the present; it is about shaping the future,” he said.
In his address, Tertsea Murphy Iorpuu explained that the empowerment project was inspired by the need to curb youth idleness and social vices in Kufang by equipping young people with sustainable skills for financial independence. Twenty participants received start-up equipment to immediately launch businesses, with a monitoring system in place to track progress. He expressed gratitude to government agencies, sponsors, NYSC officials, media partners, and his family for their support. Addressing beneficiaries, he urged discipline, wise use of the tools provided, and the replication of knowledge through training others. He called for collective action to build a society of opportunity.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Nancy Mancha, could not hide her joy. “I really appreciate this big opportunity they gave us about this program. Before now, I was just finishing my secondary school. This program is a huge opportunity for me, and I will make sure to use it well,” she said, radiating gratitude.
The event climaxed with the presentation of start-up equipment to the 20 beneficiaries, who were trained in vocations such as baking, shoemaking, make-up artistry, and others.
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